The median annual wage for registered nurses was $67,490 in May 2015.
The median wage is the wage at which half the workers in an occupation earned more than that amount and half earned less. The lowest 10 percent earned less than $46,360, and the highest 10 percent earned more than $101,630.
In May 2015, the median annual wages for registered nurses in the top industries in which they worked were as follows:
Government
$72,100
Hospitals; state, local, and private
69,510
Home healthcare services
63,840
Offices of physicians
60,820
Nursing and residential care facilities
60,370
Employers may offer flexible work schedules, childcare, educational benefits, and bonuses.
Because patients in hospitals and nursing care facilities need round-the-clock care, nurses in these settings usually work in shifts, covering all 24 hours. They may work nights, weekends, and holidays. They may be on call, which means that they are on duty and must be available to work on short notice. Nurses who work in offices, schools, and other places that do not provide 24-hour care are more likely to work regular business hours.
In 2014, about 1 out of 6 registered nurses worked part time.
Registered Nurses
Median annual wages, May 2015
Health diagnosing and treating practitioners
$76,760
Registered nurses
$67,490
Total, all occupations
$36,200
Note: All Occupations includes all occupations in the U.S. Economy. Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment Statistics